Otter Outpost/Luxury Glamping on a Private Island, Douglas Lake, Smoky Mountains

We offer a unique and serene glamping experience on a private island on Douglas Lake, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Access is by boat only. We’ll pick you up in a pontoon boat at our mainland property, where you can safely leave your car. On the island, you’ll enjoy a cozy canvas tent with covered deck and plush bedding, a hammock in the trees, a pristine outhouse and wash station, and a well-stocked camp kitchenette. Paddle our canoe, take our paddleboard for a spin, go birding, swim, fish, or soak in the views. Perfect for couples or families seeking a quiet adventure!


The Space in More Detail
Otter Outpost is a secluded and private glamping area on the eastern tip of a 21-acre private island. It is surrounded by water on three sides and is backed by a dense, wild forest on the inland side. The space is set up with a 10’ x12’ fully-furnished canvas wall-tent, and it features an outdoor camp kitchenette and covered lounge on a wooden deck. A washroom, including a commode and shower, is located close by. The bed is a full size, and it sports plush pillows, 100% cotton bedding, and a light quilt.

This space sleeps 2 adults. However, to accommodate a small family, we can add a children’s camp bunk bed inside the tent at no charge. Please note that this option is only to accommodate children; it is not intended for a group of adults. Bring your children’s bedding and other needs, and please let us know in advance so that we can bring the bunk beds out prior to your stay. Each bunk bed fits a child up to 6’ feet tall.

At this time, we cannot accept any pets on the island. (Our apologies! This season, the island wildlife are just too active).

Outside the tent, we have a fire pit with plenty of firewood, a gas grill, a picnic table & benches, a laundry line with clothes pins, a hammock, and two camp chairs that can be moved around to find the best view! There are some awesome views in every direction on the point, from sunrise to sunset.

We also have a large two-seat canoe with life vests, and we encourage you to explore the nearby waters. If you’d like, bring a fishing pole! You are free to use the canoe to travel anywhere on the lake that you wish, including back and forth to the parking area (about 15 minutes). Of course, you can bring your own boat, too! Boat-launch and parking instructions are shared upon booking. Swimming in the lake is also great. Most cell phone plans get service on the point.

As we are completely off-the-grid, we have no electricity, WIFI, or running water. Instead, we provide ten gallons of drinking water and have an outhouse with a Laveo Dry Flush toilet along with a wash station. We dare say that our outhouse is the cleanest one around!

However, a luxury package with a generator, powerbank, WIFI service, and portable a/c unit is available for $40 per night. The package includes 5 gallons of gas (for the generator) per day. Please message us if you are interested in reserving this luxury package.


Guest Access
You will be on a private island, on the eastern tip, with water on three sides and a dense forest on the inland side. No neighbors or other guests or campers are present on the island.

However, please respect the “Private Area” signs further up into the forest. Do not wander beyond them -- thank you!


Interaction with Guests
We will provide a boat ride to the property on the arrival and departure dates. Otherwise, this is a private island!
The canoe is of course always available, and provides an easy and safe transportation back and forth to the parking area at your leisure. It takes approximately 15-20 min to paddle from the island point to the mainland parking.


Other Details to Note
The camp kitchenette includes the following provisions:
*An Italian Moka style coffee pot, along with Dunkin’s brew coffee, which together make for a rich and robust cup when brewed on a gas burner. We furnish all the coffee fixin’s and also tea.
*A gas grill and a Coleman 2 burner gas camp stove. If you prefer to cook over open fire, please only do so in the designated fire pit. We supply plenty of fire wood!
*A teapot
*Two skillets
*Two cook pot with lids
*Basic cooking utensils
*Serving platter
*Can opener
*Tongs
*Ice-bucket
*Cork screw
*Cutting boards with knives
*Lighters
*Reusable plates, mugs, and glasses
*Pepper & Salt.
*A dish pan with dish soap, for easy clean-up
*A waste bin with extra trash bags (though feel free to burn any paper-based trash in the fire pit)
*An empty cooler to use for extra storage space

You may wish to pack the following items, as they are not provided:
*A cooler (with ice) for your favorite camp food/beverages
*Any specific cook & prep ware that you may need, along with eating utensils/paper goods/foil
*An extra gas tank for grill and camp stove (the 1 pound green bottle) if desired. We will have one attached, but keep in mind that extended cooking will empty these bottles quickly
*Sunscreen/bug spray, swim suit, water shoes/flip flops, etc.
*A fishing pole and a good book for the hammock!
*A power pack and chargers for your electronic devices. We are truly off-the-grid, and do not offer electricity (though we do offer a luxury package, which includes a generator, WIFI, a/c, and extra-large power bank)

In case of an emergency, dial 911. For less urgent situations, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and bear spray are located inside the tent. Also, I or one of my family members is never more than a 15-20 min boat ride away. If you are having any type of emergency, please do not hesitate to call so that we may be of help. Our cell numbers will be shared upon booking. The nearest hospital with 24/7 ER facility is Tennova Medical Center, located at 435 2nd Street in Newport, TN. (It is about a 20 min drive from the parking area.)